Electric switch



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J. J. WOOD.

ELECTRIC SWITCH. V No. 443,698. Patented Dec. 30, 1890.

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J J. WOOD. ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Patented Dec. 30, 1890.v

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JAMES J. \VOOD, OF BROOKLYN, NElV YORK.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 443,693, dated December 30, 1890.

Application filed May 28, 1890- Serial No. 353,489. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES J. Woon, a citizen of the United States, residing in Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches or Out- Outs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to switches or cutouts used for closing or breaking electric cir: cnits or throwing a loop or branch into or out of circuit. It is designed more particularly for hand-switches used in arc orincandescent lighting circuits to throw in or out the loop or branch entering a building.

The class of switches to which my invention pertains is that known as quick-action or snap-over switches, or those which when manipulated effect a rapid and instantaneous make or' break between the respective contacts, so as to reduce flashing or sparking to a minimum and render the action of the cutout absolute. In switches of this class the actuating device through which movement is communicated to the contact making orbreaking devices when manipulated acts first to store up the power necessary to throw the switch, and subsequently by its further movement to bring the stored-up power into effective action to suddenly throw the switch. My present invention introduces a new movement-in switches of this character, by which the switch is rendered more positive in its operation and its construction is simplified and eheapened.

The invention also includes some advantageous details of construction. v

Figures 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings show my invention in its preferred form and the remaining figures illustrate modifications thereof. Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the switch or cut-out box closed, the circuit connections being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, partly broken away insection. Fig. 3 is a front elevation on a larger. scale, the cover of the inclosingbox being removed. Fig. 4c is a side elevation of the mechanism, the box being in section on thelline 44 in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is asimilar view to Fig. 3, but showing the switch in the opposite position and certain parts being broken away in section. Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse mid-section cut in the plane of the line 6 6 in Fig. 5. front elevation showing the switch-levers and their intervening mechanical connections and stops. Fi 8 is a diagrammatic eleva tion showing the switch-levers and rollers. Fig. 9 is a transversesection through one lever and roller cut in the plane of the line 9 9.

in Fig. 3. Fig. 10 shows one of the insulating-plates of the leading-in-Wires removed. Of the remaining figures showing modifications, Fig. 11 is a front elevation of a modi-.

fied construction of operating-bar, rollers, and springs. Fig. 12 is a similar elevation showing a further modification. Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic elevation showing a single lever. Fig. 14 is a front elevation showing another construction employing a single lever.

lhe novel movement introduced by my invention consists, essentially, of a lever of the first class having a bearing-face along one side extending in a straight or otherwise substantially unvarying direction, and an actuating partmovable along the lever to opposite sides of its fulcrum in a direction generally parallel with the mid-position of said bearing-face and constructed to exert a tension against the lever, so that as it is moved from one side of the fulcrum thereof to the Fig. 7 is a fragmentary other its tension becomes effective as it passes the fulcrum to tilt the lever. The actuating part or the portion thereof which moves against the lever consists, preferably, of an anti-friction roller, and the tension is preferably applied thereto by means of a spring arranged to press the roller toward the lever. In order to conveniently communicate movement to the roller, it is mounted on or connected to a sliding bar or other operating part or carrier, suitably mounted and guided in its movement. A spring is interposed between the operating-handle of the actuating part or'carrier and the roller, through which the thrustis communicated to the latter, so thata thrust sufficient to carry the roller over the fulcrum IOO tween them, whereby the device is balanced and each roller serves to receive the reaction of the tension applied to the other roller. In such case the circuit-closing contacts are also duplicated, so that the switch is constituted an absolute cut-out, (so-called,) orone which simultaneously breaks the connection at both ends of the loop which it governs.

Having now indicated the general nature of the principal feature of my invention, I will proceed to describe the construction thereof which constitutes its preferred embodiment.

Referring to Figs. 1 to (i, let A designate a base-plate, preferably of cast metal, constructed to be fastened by screws or otherwise to the wall of a building or to some other support. Outhis plate are mounted all the operative parts of the switch. Against the front of this plate is fastened a B,- which incloses' all the operative parts except the handle 0, which projects out through the box into position to be grasped by the hand and moved forcibly up or down to throw the switch 011 or off.

7 In the front of the box I is an opening or window I), through which may be seen one or other'of'the words On or Offmarked on an indicating-plate D. (Shown in Figs. 4: and (5 andin dotted lines in Fig. 1.) This plate is a common feature in hand-switches or cut-outs for indicating at aglancc the position of the switch. lVithin the box are two tilting levers E E, mounted on fulcrum-studs c c, which are fixed to butiusulated from the base-plate A, while their front ends project and are formed as binding-posts (Z (Z for the main-line wires 6 0. Thus these wires are put into electric connection with the levers E E, which in thiseonstruction are of metal and constitute the connecting-plates of the switch. The upper'ends of the leversare prolonged to make contact each with one or other of two contactplates F and G. There are two contact-plates F F. in connection, respectively, with bindiiilgposts 7 g, to which are connected the wires ff of the loop orbranch circuit, the connection of which is governed by the switch. This loop is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The contact plate G is a single plate or bridge-piece having contact portions or su rfaces atits opposite ends to make contact with the lovers E E. When these levers are tilted into contact with this plate G, the current entering through one line-wire c flows through the corresponding lever E, the bridge G, and the other lever E, and out through the other line-wire 0, so that in this position of the switch, as shown in Fig. 5, the loop or subseribers branch is out out or open-eireuited. hen the levers are tilted to the opposite position, as shown in Fig. 3, with their ends in contact with the plates F F, the current flows from one lever to its plate F, thence to wire f, and through the loop to the other plate F, and out by the other lever E to the other line-wire c. This is the condition when the switch is on, as shown in Figs. 1 and The coliitaet-plates F and G are constructed,

box or cover preferably, of two leaves which embrace the ends of the lovers between them to form an extended contact-surface and afford a good electrical connection. The respective contacts F and G are arranged closer together than the width of the contacting end portions of thelevers, in order that the lever in throw ing over may make contact with one plate before it breaks contact with the other. The contact-plates F and G are firmly fastened mechanically to the base-plate A, but: insulated therefrom, as is usual in such structures.

I will now describe the means by which as the operating-handle G is forced up or down the levers E E are tilted out or in to throw the switch on or off.

The operating handle or bar C consists of a rod mounted to slide longitudinally through a hole in a projection formed on the baseplate. 011 its upper part is freely mounted a yoke or cross-head ll, which is confined be tween two springs I I, coiled on the red C. It is to this yoke II that the indicator-plate D is fastened, as shown in Fig. 6. As-the-rod C is moved up or down its movement is com municated elastically through one or other of the springs I I to the cross-head II. The crosshead might be fastened rigidly to the rod;but its elastic connection is preferable. wings of the cross-head H are pivoted or hinged to arms J J, the ends of which carry studs on which turn anti-friction rollers K K.

As the red 0 moves up or down, the rollers K K roll against the inner sides of the lovers E E, being pressed outwardly thereagainst by an intervening spring L, the opposite ends of which act against the two arms-I J to press them apart. This spring is held in position by lugsj projecting from the arms J J into its ends. (See Fig. 5.)

The rollers K K are preferably madeof in sulating material, this being the most convenient means of interposing insulation in the operating mechanism to prevent passage of the current throughsueh mechanism from one lever E to the other. In order to afford an extended surface on the levers for the rollers to ride against, thereby preventing their abrasion, and at the same time to guide the rollers in their movement and prevent their running off the lovers, the latter are formed in a manner shown best in cross-section in Fig. 9, being provided each with a concave plate 1i, fastened to or formed integrally with the inner edge of the lever, the concave of this plate forming a channel in which the roller K may travel. One of these plates '5 is shown partly in section in Fig. 5.

The operation is as follows: lVhilc at rest in either position the outward pressure of the spring L, being communicated through the rollers K K to the levers, holds. the latter firmly in their tilted position,where they are seated against stops, as will presently be described. When it is desired to throw the switch, the operator moves the red 0 up or down, as the case may be, thereby communi- The Y eating longitudinal movement to the rollers through the medium of one of the springs I, the cross-head H, and the arms J J. The rollers thus roll along the inclined inner sides of the levers toward the fulcrums thereof, and in so doing are caused to approach each other, and consequently to further compress the spring L. Owing to the resistance of this spring, considerable pressure must be exerted by the operator on the operating-bar O, and consequently the spring I is correspondingly compressed. As soon as the rollers K K pass over the fulcrum centers of the levers and sufficiently beyond them so that their tension overcomes the frictional resistance of the parts, they act against the opposite arms of the levers and tilt them rapidly from one extreme position to the other. By this tilting movement, the inclined ways or channels, against which the rollers act, being brought to the opposite inclination, the tension of the spring J, as also that of the spring I, is effective to cause the rollers to roll to the extreme ends of the ways, where they are stopped and serve to hold the levers firmly in their new position. The tension of the springI is chiefly advantageous for impelling the rollers past the fulcrums of the levers when the latter begin to tilt. It is not, however, essential to insure the quick and positive throwing over of'the levers, as will be apparent from the following description with reference to the diagram, Fig. 8. During the movement of the rollers from the position shown in full lines in this figure they have no tilting tendency upon the levers E E until after they pass the fulcrum axis a: octhereof. If the contactsurfaces '6 2', against which the rollers roll, were in lines intersecting the fulcrums, as denoted by the line i t" on the right-hand lever, this tilting tendency would occur immediately after passing the line no; but by reason of the surfaces i being located some distance inwardly from the fulcrums this tilting tendency is proportionately delayed and does not become eifective until the rollers have passed some distance beyond this line, say, for example, to the position shown by the dotted circles, where they are on the line y 3 Assuming that at this instant their tension becomes effective to commence the tilting of the levers, it is obvious that as the levers tilt their points of contact with the rollers move in concentric arcs, as indicated by the arrows .2 so that the leverage exerted by the rollers becomes more advantageous as the levers move. As soon as the rollers have passed far enough beyond the fulcrums to commence to tilt thelevers, the complete tilting of the latter is assured, since a pressure sufficient to overcome the friction and inertia of thelevers is more than sufficient to keep them in motion. The instant the-levers pass their mid-position the inclination of their inner sides becomes such as to contribute to the continued movement of the rollers, which will then travel by the tension of the spring L alone to the end of their movement.

My improved throw-over movement has the advantages of holding the switch firmly in either position, of throwing it instantaneously from one position to the other, and of avoiding the possibility of its being left in intermediate position. In its use it is found practically impossible to so manipulate the operating-rod as to bring the levers to a position where the contacts will burn or are. The levers are thrown certainly and positively from one extreme position to the other by an instantaneous movement. The first part of the movement imparted to the operatingrod stores up power by compressing the spring L, and instantly the center is passed the tension thus accumulated is made effective to throw the switch.

It is practically desirable, in order to insure the exactly simultaneous movement of the two levers E E, to connect them mechanically in such way that they must move together. This might be done by various devices, such asby gearing them together; but I prefer to connect them by the means shown best in Fig. 7. Each lever has fastened to it (by riveting or otherwise) a projecting arm 70, that on one lever being above and that on the other below the center, and these arms are connected together by being pivoted to an intervening link Z. In tilting between the positions shown in full and dotted lines this link insures the simultaneous movement of the two levers. In order to maintain the insulation of the two levers, at least one of the parts 7.; Z must be of insulating material, and preferably I construct the link I of such material-es, for example, of vulcanized fiber.

It is practically necessary to provide stops for limiting the tilting movements of the levers. These might be variously applied, the preferred construction being that shown in Fig. 7, where the ends of the linkl are stopped at the opposite extreme movements of the levers by abutting against shoulders or surfaces on and 92, respectively. (See also Fig. 6.) Stops are also necessarily provided for limiting the travel of the rollers K K. These might be applied to the operating-rod C; but whether this rod isprovided with stops or not it is preferable to provide independent stops for the rollers. These I prefer to construct on the levers E E by curving the contact portions or ways i i'thereof inwardlv at their opposite ends, as shown at p p. In addition the rod 0 is preferably provided with stops, consisting of pins (1 q, Fig. 3, which at the opposite limits of its movement abut against the opposite sides of the projection 71.

The line and loop wires e f, at the points where they enter the inclosing-box B, are protected against the possibility of electrical connection therewith even in case of their insulation being defective, by being passed through holes in insulating-plates N N, one

. right in Fig.

of which is shown .removed in Fig. 10, by which they are held in the middle of large openings formed in the sides of the box.

These openings are in the form of deep notches 0' 1', cast with grooves for embracing the edges of the plates N, as shown at the left in Fig. 5. The flat ends of these plates are seated in deep notches s s, formedin projections s s, from the surface of the baseplate A, as best shown in Fig. 2 and on the Theplates Nare slipped over the wires before their ends are fastened to the binding'posts, the base ends of the plates being then thrust into the deep notches s, wherein they are firmly held by the stiffness of the wires upon the attachment of the wires to the binding-posts. The plates N N then project perpendicular]y from the baseplalc, and the box 13 may be put on or taken off without disturbing them.

The correct register of the box .1; with the base-p1ate A is insured by the box being formed with wide-bottomed recesses 1" at the base of the notches '2', which recesses, when the box is applied, embrace the projections s upon the face of the plate A. The leaking of water through the joint between the box and the base-plate is prevented by forming the base-plate at the top with an overhanging flange t.

It will be observed that the several bindingposts g g (1 cl are arranged within the box at higherlevels than the openings through which the leading-in wires enter the box, thus necessitating the curving upwardly of these wires to reach the binding-posts, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. This construction prevents any rain-water that might possibly run along the wires being able to reach the bindingposts, as would be apt to occur if the posts were arranged on the same level as the openings or on a lower'level.

My invention may be modified 'in nu merous ways Without departing from its essential features. For example, the mounting of the rollers and the means of applying spring-tension thereto may be modified in the manner shown in Fig. 11, where these rollers are carried on the ends of spring-arms J, connected to a block II, carried by the operating-rod C. It is not essential to use rollers K K at all, their employment being solely to reduce the friction. In lieu of rollers, the ends of the sprii'ig-arms J might be bent to form curved rubbing-surfaces, as shown at K in Fig. 12. Although in its preferred embodiment I construct my invention as an absolute cut-out switch, or one by which both ends of a loop are simultaneously and absolutely severed from the circuit, yet my invent-ion may be in part availed of in the construction of a singleacting switch by the omission of one of the levers It and its contacts. Such a switch is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 13, where one line-wire e is connected with the lever E and the other line-wire e is connected both to the contact-plate G and to one terminal of the loopf, the other terminal of which is connected to the contact I I have described the levers 1* as being the comlucting-levers or switch-plates of the cut out; but when thus constructed they obviously perform a double function, being both (a) part of the mechanical movement for throwing the switch and (11) part of the electrical contact making or breaking devices. This latter function is not essential to the lovers E. In Fig. 14; is shown a lever E which has only the mechanical function of serving as part of the mechanism for throwing the switch. Its end. ismechanically connected to but insulated from a slide It, which will move in suitable guides, is electrically con nected with the line-wire c, and carries a contacbplate it, which makes contact in its op posite positions either with the plate I or the plate G, these plates being electrically connected in the same manner as in Fig. 3. The lever E is acted upon by a roller K, mounted on an arm J, which is pivoted to the operating-slide (l and receives the tension of a spring L.

Although my invention is designed more especially as a hand-switch, it is nevertheless applicable as an automatic switch, to be operated, for example, by the movements of a float in a water-tank, or by any other means.

My invention is to be distinguished from cut-outs having a tilting'lever formed along one side with an angular cam-face to be engaged by a roller not mounted on a carrier, but acted on by a spring, with a pusher for pushing it over the apex of the cam, so that in rolling down the opposite side thereof its thrust tilts the lever.

I claim as my invention the following-defined novel features or improvements, substantially as hereinbefore specified, namely:

1. In a quick-action switch, the combination, as a means for communicating motion to the contact making or breaking devices, of a lover of the first class having a bearing-face extending along it to both sides of its fulcrum, an actuating part movable in a direction longitudinally of the lever to opposite sides of its fulcrum and constructed to exert a yielding tension against the lever, an operating-handle for imparting motion to the actuating part, and an interposed spring through which the motion is communicated, whereby in forcing the actuating part toward the position where it passes the fulcrum of the lever power is stored by the liexure of said spring, and asit passes said position the tension of the spring is exerted to thrust it beyond the fulcrum, so that a thrust sufficient to carry the actuating part over the fulcrum of the lever insures the throwing of the switch.

2. In a quick-action switch, the combina tion, as a means for communicating motion to the cont-act making or breaking devices, of a lever of the first class having a bearing-face extending along it to both sides of its fulcrum, an actuating part consisting of a carrier movable in a direction substantiallyparallel with said bearing-face when the lever is in mid-position, and a roller carried thereby rolling along said bearing-face and constructed to exert a yielding tension thereagainst in direction laterally of the path of movement of the carrier, an operating-handle through which motion is communicated to said carrier, and a spring interposed between the handleand roller through which the thrust for moving said roller is elastically communicated.

3. In a quick-action switch, the combination of two levers of the first class and an actuating part comprising rollers movable along said levers to opposite sides of their fulcrums, and means for pressing said rollers elastically toward their respective levers.

4. In a quick-action switch, the combination of two levers of the first class and an actuating part comprising rollers movable along said levers to opposite sides of their fulcrums, and a spring for pressing said rollers toward their respective levers, whereby the tension exerted against each roller reacts against the other.

5. In a quick-action switch, the combination of two levers of the first class, an actuating part comprising two rollers movable along the respective levers to opposite sides of their fulcrums, means for pressing said rollers elastically toward their respective levers, and a mechanical connection between the levers to insure their simultaneous movement.

6. In a quick-action switch, the combination of two levers of the first class, an actuatin g part comprising two rollers movable along the respective levers to opposite sides of their fulcrums and constructed to exert a tension against their respective levers, and a mechanical connection between the levers to insure their simultaneous movement, consisting of a link pivoted to arms projecting from the levers on opposite sides of their fulcrums.

7. I11 a quick-action switch, the combination of two levers of the first class, an actuatin g part comprising two rollers movable along the respective levers to opposite sides of their fulcrums and constructed to exert a tension against their respective levers, a mechanical connection between the levers, consisting of a link pivoted to arms 'proj ecting from the levers on opposite sides of their fulcrums, and stops for limiting the tilting movement of the levers, consisting of shoulders arranged to be encountered by and stop said link.

8. In a quick-action switch, the combination of two levers of the first class of conducting material and in connection with a line circuit, contacts to be touched by said levers, and an actuating part comprising rollers of insulating material movable along the levers to opposite sides of their fulcrums and constructed to exert a tension against their respective levers.

9. In a quick-action switch, the combination of a lever of the first class, a roller movable along the lever past its fulcrum, a spring for pressing said roller toward the lever, an operating-slide on which said roller is mounted and through which motion is communicated to, it, and a spring interposed between the operating-handle of said slide and the roller, and through which the thrust for moving said roller is elastically communicated.

10. In an electric switch, the combination, with circuit making or breaking devices, of an inclosing-box formed with openings in its sides, having grooves or sockets for holding insulating-plates, binding-posts or connectors within the box, and insulating-plates fastened in' said openings in the box by means of said grooves or sockets and having perforations through which the wires pass in entering the box, whereby the wires are kept out of contact with the box.

11. In an electric switch, the combination of a base-plate formed with notches or recesses, binding-posts or connectors mounted on said base-plate, a box fitting against said base-plate to inclose said binding-posts and formed with openings in its sides coinciding with said notches, and insulating-plates fitting into said notches, constructed to fill said openings when said box is applied, and formed with perforations through which to pass the wires entering the box.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES J. WOOD. lVitnesses:

ARTHUR O. FRASER, .TNo. E. GAVIN. 

